What is the best way to train a 3 month old black lab??

Question

I have a black lab and as much as i hate it he is home about 6 hours aday alone, and while we are gone he chews up everything, no matter what it is or if its put away, we have had to start keeping him in the bathroom alone all day just so that we don't have to replace everything we opwn, any idea on how to get him to stop? He has dozens of toys and we play endlessly when we are home.

Answer 1

Crate-train to give him a sense of a place that is his spot and to solve the destructiveness problem. Confining in the bathroom is also okay, as long as you train for that confinement the same
as you would crate-train. Crating and confinement are NOT cruel--don't listen to people who say that's the case, they are just going on human gut-reaction and not thinking like dogs. These are training tools to help your puppy figure out right and wrong. Dogs only know what's right and wrong (in human terms) when you are there to tell them. If you're not there, you can't tell them and they just get into trouble. The only way to keep a dog from misbehaving while you're not around is to remove the opportunity to do so.

I have two crate-trained dogs, both large breed adults (some stop crating after puppihood, but I really see no reason for that). They could together get into an ENORMOUS amount of trouble when we leave them to go to work. So, I have removed the opportunity. They crate up on command ("go home") and wait for me to come and close their crate doors. I leave them with puzzle toys stuffed with food that they can work on while I'm away. I'm pretty sure they mostly just snooze and enjoy the air conditioning.

When I come home, I'm able to be fully happy to see them, not dreading what awful destruction I'm going to find. They get let out of their crates and we have a ball together. If crating was cruel, they wouldn't so happily crate up. They often go into their crates while we're home, just to sleep or hang out. At night, even though the crate doors are left open, they spend most of the time sleeping in the crates.

If potty training is also an issue, crating is also an excellent tool. Because you'll have a large adult dog in a few months, get a crate large enough to fit an adult lab, BUT block off the back half of it with a box so that it is not large enough for puppy to potty in one half and sleep in the other. Crating works for potty training because dogs won't potty where they sleep. This principle only works, though, if the crate is the correct size and not too large. You may think a bigger crate is "less cruel" but that is also a fallacy. The crate should be big enough for your dog to comfortably stand up in and turn around, but no bigger.

Just remember to Crate-TRAIN. It is a form of training and you'll have to google it to get some good methods. But just tossing a puppy into a crate and leaving for 6 hours is not such a great method. Also, crates are never to be used as punishment. Only happy good things happen in the crate, like food and treats and petting.

For general puppy energy, google clicker-training or go to the library and get a book on positive dog training.

Answer 2

Crate training is the best effort you could make. Although most feel it is cruel, If it is done correctly, the dog will see it as his/her den and will ike to go in. Never use a crate as a convenince, but rather a very useful tool. House training, leaving them home alone. Also for more formal training, I recommend treat/clicker training. I was a non-beleiver and have seen it work on my own Lab. The positive reinforcement works wonders when used consistantly and creatively. You can train a dog to do just about anything with this method. I would highly recommend speaking with someone before the dog gets older as training at a young age is very key to the proper etiquate the dog will have when they are older.
One last thing about training, If you havent already, socialize the dog AS MUCH AS PSOOIBLE. let him meet as many people and go as many places and let him experience as many different things as possible. You can take him for trips to the store, i.e. Home depot usually won't say anything about dogs, Pet stores, etc. This is vital to good emotional health and behavior. You can truly see a significant difference in a dog that is socialized and a dog who has not been. Just a more up-beat healthier emotional state, and all around friendler dog that is great in all situations. I recommend talking to a trainer that specializes in this area.

Answer 3

I am a breeder of labs and if you have to leave them alone for 6 hours, the best solution is crate training. The reason he chews is because he is bored and lonely. Labs love to run and investigate everything. Make sure that the crate is large enough for him to play in. You can get one of these at any dept. store for about $59. Then purchase some rawhide bones, they love them and this will curb the chewing habit. Make sure he gets plenty of excercise when you get home and start obedience training!!

Answer 4

chewing things is often just the puppy's way of saying that he's afraid of being left alone. instead of just toys, try giving him an old shirt that you no longer wear, but still might smell like you. also, put him in the house, and go outside for just a few minutes and come right back in. this shows him that you will come back and that you're not abandoning him. gradually increase the time that you are away. until this works, keep him in a crate when you have to be gone for long periods of time. Good Luck!

Answer 5

I have always used a crate when training labs. It may seem cruel, but they truly end up liking it. It is like a den and a safe place for them. It may take them a little getting used to it at first. It will save your house tho. Depending on the dog, some don't need it after a year or two.

I used it on my first lab, when I got the second one, I set up the cage and the older dog went in it on her own. This was about 6 years after we had put it away.

Answer 6

You must set a routine and abide by it religiously. It wouldn't hurt to take him/her to obedience training. There they will teach you how be the Alpha dog. That is the key. Also, you should crate him while your away and never ever use the crate for punishment. Give him stuff to chew on in his crate and teach him the difference between his toys and your electrical wires. Your dog just wants to be with you.

Answer 7

First of all, congrats on getting a puppy...probably cute, I would imagine:)

This is what you should do:
-don't lock him in the bathroom...if he gets bored, he'll chew on things he can find in there
-you need to get a large crate. When you leave the house, put him in the crate. This will confine him & also teach him that it will be his room for the next few months. He goes in there whenever you're out and when you're sleeping. You can make it comfy for him by adding a blanket and a toy.

Crate training will benefit your dog. He will learn to go in there as his bed and also, when he does something bad. He will not soil in his crate as he knows he has to sleep there. But course, having said that, some will out of nervousness or just can't control. But after the first accident in there, it won't happen again. He might make a fuss when you lock him in there. Ignore him. He needs to get use to this environment. Also, it's time-out for him.

When you return, let him out, take him out, feed him, play with him etc. But don't give him more than 2-4 hours of freedom. He needs to earn his freedom. If he's constantly free, he knows that he can get away with it probably cuz he's a cute puppy, you know. But after each month, you can extend the time outside his crate longer. When you get up in the morning, let him out & take him out to do his business. He will learn slowly this is his routine.

You can play all you want with your dog, but as I said, he needs to earn his freedom. Let him eat, play & do his business and after a few hours of freedom, put him back in his crate - his room. He will bark, wimper and make a lot of sound to annoy you. But it's ok....ignore & don't even go near the crate to look at him. He will stop crying after a few minutes & fall asleep. It takes time for him to adjust to this but believe me, it works......

You can add a little music when you leave the house. Turn the radio on. Keep a low volume. This allows him to hear & let him know that he's not going to be scared when he's in his crate. But you don't have to do this, course.

And the best part of this is, you'll have your dog house-trained as he won't do anything in the house. And you won't have to return home to find him chew up something.

Good luck!
A three month old is a very nerve-wrecking time, I know. But it is also a very fun time as after these months, he will grow out of his puppy life. Don't forget to take pictures.

Answer 8

I took my Maltese to obedience school at Petsmart.

Your dog may feel abandoned and depressed, that may be a reason why he is destructive. He is only 3 months old, so he isn't really accustomed to what's right and what's wrong. Don't leave him in the bathroom, a dog needs open space to run around and play, so he doesn't get bored and become destructive. Email me back if you need to know anything else.

Answer 9

Stop playing with him ... start teaching him! Show him what behavior is acceptable and what isn't. Playtime should be used as a reward for a successful training session.

Keep things positive.
Use a crate!!

Answer 10

Labs pups are chewers. Its part of the breed. He's teething. Make sure he has plenty of raw hides around. And make sure he gets lots of playtime to tire him out when you are home.